The terms Réserve (or Grande Réserve) and Private Reserve may in future also be used for German wines.

The superior administrative court (Oberverwaltungsgericht Rheinland-Pfalz OVG) in Koblenz/Germany has admitted the application by a german wine producer, in a judgement published today. This means that, provided they show a special quality, German wines may in future use designations such as Réserve/Grande Réserve or Private Reserve. This victory for the wine producer from the Pfalz ergion came after a lengthy legal battle, which had taken him as far as the federal German administrative court and even the European Court of Justice.

The OVG has now found that consumers are not likely to be confused by the fact that these terms are used in France and in other European countries. However, it still does not appear clear how the term "special quality" is to be defined. (WF)